How Baptist Associations Should Lead by Discerning Next

A perspective for local denominational organizations/judicatories on how they best empower their churches to serve from the base of their local context.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Rundown: Articles on Baptist associations are often applicable to the local denominational organizations/judicatories of various denominations. They may be called associations, districts, classis, synods, and by other names. They are typically organisms more than organizations. Relational more than functional. Regional and national expressions of denominations are more organizational and functional.

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How Baptist Associations Should Lead by Discerning Next

"This is the third in a series of columns that will explain various strategies that could be used to experience the next wave of Kingdom progress." —George Bullard

“We are fixin’ to get ready to commence to begin to start to do something maybe.”

When I moved to my current state, another new resident told me she didn’t grasp the state’s culture until she learned this phrase.

It reflects a culture of followership. Many people in this state observed how leaders — especially those in other states — reacted to opportunities and challenges. The people in this state made their observations before they took a risk and tried something new.

This revelation was invaluable. It helped me understand how to assist congregations and associations in the state as they advanced in Kingdom ministry. This contrasted with my typical action-then-reflection approach to missions.

It also helped me realize that while they were busy “fixing to get ready,” it was a great opportunity to engage them in a spiritual, fellowship and contextual process and help them discern the next steps regarding the bold things God was calling them to do.

This was a principle I could apply everywhere.

Boldly Discern Next during 2025

Baptist associations should commit to Discern Next in 2025 to achieve the lead role within Baptist life and fulfill the Great Commission.

To Discern Next involves three fundamental actions. First, a deeper spiritual relationship with God must be established within the fellowship of member congregations.

Second, the member congregations must nurture a meaningful, interdependent fellowship. This fellowship should be one in which the sense of being one family on a mission together is obvious.

Third, a deep understanding of the association’s past, present and future contextual ministry should be cultivated. Its context should be seen as a missions field populated by individuals with diverse demographic characteristics.

It is a field made up of everyone who needs to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord, everyone who wants to be part of a spiritually passionate and mission-driven congregation and everyone who envisions themselves on a mission to fulfill the Great Commission from their associational fellowship area.

(Continue reading HERE.)

Let me hear from you if you want to talk about this.